Kin Kin after the floods

The iconic Kin Kin Hotel is open again after it was nearly washed away in the floods of April 2, but the devastating deluge is still taking its toll on the close-knit hinterland town.

Kin Kin recovers after the floods. Country Life Hotel employee Shelley Lait (left) and resident Joanne Jowatt in the pub that was devastated by the recent floods. Photo:Geoff Potter/n22032

The iconic Kin Kin Hotel is open for business again after it was nearly washed away in the torrential rain of April 2, but the devastating deluge is still taking its toll on the close-knit hinterland town.

Shelley Lait feels a slight twinge of panic course through her body when rain starts to fall at Kin Kin.

For 24 years Shelley has worked behind the bar at Kin Kin’s iconic pub, the Country Life Hotel. In that time she has become a central part of the community and has experienced the highs and lows of the township’s history.

One day, more than any other, is forever etched in Shelley’s memory – April 2, 2009. It was the day Kin Kin was pounded by torrential rain.

“It all just happened so quickly. None of us had time to get out. At one point I thought ‘this is it – I’m going to die’,” Shelley said.

“I was behind the bar and the water just started coming through the windows – it was terrifying. Eight of us escaped upstairs and waited to be rescued for four hours. During that time the whole place just shook and I thought we’d get washed away.

“Now, whenever it starts to rain, I get a bit freaked out. Those floods were the last thing we expected and I just hope nothing like that ever happens again.”

Last week the pub’s kitchen reopened, with the dining area and new bar a showpiece of people power in the small community.

The Country Life Hotel’s insurance company refused to cover any repair costs, so the people of Kin Kin chipped in their time to help rebuild the township’s centrepiece.

“We’re just so lucky the community is close knit and everyone was willing to put in their own time to help,” Shelley said.

“Now the pub’s up and running again I think the residents feel like Kin Kin is starting to get up and running again. It’s still a long way from being back to normal, but slowly we’re rebuilding.”

Jo Anne Jowett, who has lived had Kin Kin for 20 years, said many residents were still struggling to get back on their feet, crippled by the financial toll of the floods.

“These people have been forgotten. It’s like the flooding happened, we got a bit of help and then everyone forgot about us,” Jo Anne said.

“There are lots of people in Kin Kin still struggling to cope with the effects of the floods and a lot a still waiting for insurance payouts. Others have been told by their insurance companies they won’t be getting any help at all.”

In addition to extra repair funding, Jo Anne believes counselling is needed for people affected by the flood, especially those who were caught up in the drama as the “wall of flood water just came crashing through the town like a tsunami”.

“We’re all doing our bit to continue the clean up and move on, but for many people here the flood was a very traumatic experience,” Jo Anne said.

“It would be great if, as a town, we were offered some sort of counselling to help get us through this. We’re still healing.”

Originally published as Kin Kin after the floods